Chapter 69: Breaking the Siege of Yangzhou

“So eager to see me—has something major happened?”

The Marquis of Wuyang asked irritably.

Disturbing someone’s sleep in the dead of night is utterly annoying.

If the situation weren’t so unusual, he’d have thrown the man out long ago.

“Congratulations, Marquis!”

“Under your brilliant command, our troops launched a night raid on the rebel camp, burning countless supplies and slaying fifteen thousand rebels and eight hundred officers…”

The enemy is in chaos—expected to retreat by tomorrow.

The siege of Yangzhou is lifted!”

When Li Mu finished speaking, the Marquis of Wuyang was stunned.

He’d seen boastful men before, but never one this bold.

What night raid? He had no knowledge of any such thing.

For a moment, the Marquis of Wuyang wondered if he was hallucinating.

“Li Battalion Commander, think carefully—falsifying battlefield reports is punishable by death!”

The Marquis of Wuyang asked sternly.

“Marquis, every word I said is true!”

“If you doubt it, come with me to the city wall—right now, the rebel camp is ablaze, filled with shouts and screams.”

As for the exact number of enemy slain, it’s too dark to count properly—but the number is certainly substantial.

Once the enemy retreats, we’ll send men out to collect the corpses—then we’ll know the true tally!”

Seeing Li Mu speak with such conviction, the Marquis of Wuyang was already nine-tenths convinced of the night raid’s success.

The only lingering doubt was the headcount—perhaps slightly inflated.

Those were minor issues; as long as Yangzhou’s siege was broken, the battle report could be smoothed over.

“How many men did you send on the night raid?”

The Marquis of Wuyang asked with interest.

To share credit, their stories had to match.

“Five hundred men!”

Li Mu answered honestly.

Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Wuyang rolled his eyes.

Are you kidding me?

Five hundred soldiers launch a night raid, burn enemy grain depots, and slay ten thousand enemies?

If such a fantasy report reached the Emperor, even I, as the imperial uncle, couldn’t shield you from his wrath.

Young men are bold—willing to risk anything for glory.

“Fine, let’s go to the wall together.”

The Marquis of Wuyang waved dismissively.

Though he suspected exaggeration, he still believed the raid had succeeded.

Knowing Li Mu as he did, the man might inflate the numbers—but wouldn’t fabricate a battle out of thin air.

After quickly donning his official robes, the group headed straight for the city wall.

Gazing at the distant flames and listening to the screams from the rebel camp, the Marquis of Wuyang’s grim face broke into a smile.

“The enemy seems to have suffered a camp mutiny—was your raid responsible?”

The Marquis of Wuyang asked pointedly.

Camp mutinies during war were rare—but when they happened, fortune smiled upon you.

After the enemy slaughtered each other, you could simply go out and collect heads—ready-made battlefield merit.

“Commander, the rebel mutiny was caused by our raid.”

“In their temporary camp, they’re holding a victory feast for their heroes—and the soldiers are waiting for you to distribute silver rewards!”

“I made a personal promise: anyone who successfully burns the enemy’s grain stores gets fifty taels of silver.”

“For those killed, an additional fifty taels of compensation.”

“Surviving active officers are promoted three ranks.”

“The rest will be offered government positions with a monthly salary of no less than one and a half taels—they may choose whether to accept.”

Hearing Li Mu’s outrageous demands, the Marquis of Wuyang was startled.

The silver reward was easy—five hundred men, a few ten thousand taels; the treasury could afford it.

The positions were even simpler—the court recruits annually, and those bold enough to raid at night were all fierce warriors.

Those willing to stay could be absorbed directly into the Five City Military Command.

But promoting all active officers three ranks? That was a nightmare—where would he find so many openings?

“Didn’t you send out all your subordinate Battalion Commanders?”

Hearing the Marquis’s question, Li Mu realized he’d been misunderstood.

After all this, the man still doubted the raid’s authenticity.

“Commander, how would I dare deceive you?”

“The highest-ranking officer in the raid was merely a Platoon Leader.”

“Of the five hundred men, fewer than ten were active officers; only three returned alive.”

Li Mu explained, looking genuinely aggrieved.

Sending noble Zidi on such a suicide mission? Even a fool would see something was wrong.

Even if he wanted to win loyalty and distribute merit, he could wait until after the rebels left to collect heads—no need to create such a dangerous risk.

“If the highest commander was only a Platoon Leader, then promoting him three ranks isn’t impossible.”

“My Five City Military Command has many nominal officers—adding one more Deputy Battalion Commander wouldn’t hurt.”

“But there are no vacancies in the Yamen —these positions can only be honorary. To gain a real post, they must be assigned to the provinces.”

“The same applies to the others—any real post requires provincial assignment.”

“You started this mess—explain it to them yourself.”

The Marquis of Wuyang’s tone softened.

Knowing the merit came from low-ranking soldiers, he no longer doubted the raid’s truth.

Noble Zidi might fabricate merit for themselves—but would never risk their necks for a bunch of common soldiers.

Since the raid was real, he had no fear of imperial investigation—and welcomed the added glory for himself.

“Commander, rest assured—they’ll be grateful to you, not resentful!”

Li Mu immediately declared.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, encountering a superior who didn’t steal merit and kept his promises was a blessing from eight lifetimes of good karma.

With a greedy superior, these men’s achievements would’ve been sold off as favors.

That the Marquis of Wuyang honored his promises without hesitation felt like a miracle to Li Mu.

“Don’t celebrate too soon—we can only distribute the silver now.”

“Once the enemy outside retreats and we confirm Yangzhou’s siege is lifted, only then can I fulfill these appointments.”

“And you, young man—you should prepare yourself.”

“With such great merit, you must be moved to a new post—get your uncle to work the connections early.”

“If you want to stay in the capital, fine—but if you seek an external posting, the Jiangnan region is an excellent choice.”

The Marquis of Wuyang smiled pleasantly.

No banquet in officialdom lasts forever.

Everyone here is connected; with the defense of Yangzhou as a credential, most will be promoted.

“Thank you for your guidance, Commander!”

As the Imperial Inspector of Salt Transport, the Marquis of Wuyang held influence over appointments in the Two Huai region.

By hinting at this now, he was clearly offering a favor in return.

After all, they moved in the same circle—merit couldn’t be taken without reciprocity.

Understanding the subtext, Li Mu’s head ached.

By convention, capital officials posted outside were promoted one rank.

Add this achievement, and two promotions were certain—three might even be possible.

Promotion was assured; the key was the posting.

Among officers of the same rank, authority could differ vastly.

Choosing the right position was the key to the next step.

Burdened with thoughts, Li Mu attended the victory feast—dawn was breaking by the time it ended.

Neither Li Mu nor the Marquis of Wuyang felt any sleepiness; they stood silently on the wall, waiting for the final outcome.

The fire in the rebel camp still burned, the screams had long ceased, and no movement could be seen in the distance.

“Battalion Commander, the enemy has fled!”

Hearing the scout’s report, Li Mu broke into a delighted smile.

He had won the gamble!

“Commander, order the gates opened—pursue the fleeing remnants!”

Li Mu immediately spoke up.

It’s time to claim heads.

If we don’t act quickly, the other officers will move first.

“Issue orders to all units: open the city gates and pursue the remnants.”

“Don’t chase too far—beware of an enemy counterattack!”

Marquis Wuyang issued his orders with great triumph.

The curse that had plagued him for days was finally lifted.

After this battle, anyone who dares say he rose through connections will get a slap.

As an imperial relative with military merit, he had already separated himself qualitatively from those imperial relatives who merely ate and waited to die.

(End of Chapter)